11 December 2007
I’M BACK BABY!
Posted by Mike Dopke under: Mike Dopke (Coach) .
Hey everyone, my name is Mike Dopke and I am proud to be coaching the 08 Road Warriors! I was picked as a team member last season and had a great time training and blogging. I feel very fortunate and a little bit spoiled that I have been asked to come back to coach this year.
I discovered the joy of running late into my 20s. I was gaining unwanted weight fast as my love of good food was constantly leaving my slowing metabolism in the dust. I needed to find a way to drop a few pounds so I joined the YMCA. One day, following relentless taunting and a triple dog dare from a friend; I ended up “accidentally” going on a 7 mile run with the running club. Soon into the run, I found that 7 miles was NOT a wise way to begin.
When my legs finally recovered, I started running on a regular basis with the group (although much shorter distances at first). It took a while to get to where I could run more than a few miles comfortably, but eventually it came. While I was discovering a newfound love of running, a predictable thing began to happen. I began to feel better both physically and mentally. My extra pounds melted away, and it felt good to set a goal to run a certain distance or time and then achieve it.
I decided to attempt the 5/3 Riverbank Run, as it was something I had always heard about growing up in Grand Rapids. I had never come close to running that far, but I looked forward to the challenge of completing the distance of 15.5 miles. I trained all winter with my friend Brad (the guy that dared me to start running). We were coming along very nicely up until one day on a 12-mile run; I stepped off a curb wrong and tore a meniscus in my left knee. I ended up having surgery and had to sit out that year. Brad ran a personal best.
I chased Brad and his record for the next 2 years (he’s still a taunter). I ran under 2 hours both times but could not catch Brad’s P.R. Last year, with the help of this great program, and Rungazelle, I ran my personal best (1:47:44) and beat Brad’s (1:49:51). This year, my main goal is to help my team achieve their individual goals. Of course, I would also like to shave a minute or two off of my P.R.
That is just what I intend to do.
Mike Dopke
One Comment so far...
Brad De Young Says:
27 December 2007 at 8:34 am.
Im back dopke! You have taken running to a new high…………But crazy can take you a long way also!